Along the River, Following the Wind - 1
Loitering anywhere near the Yangtze just invites the risk of getting kidnapped by Gi Gangwang. Sure, you might think a busy guy like him, tied up with wiping out the water bandits, wouldn't have time for that—but to Gi Gangwang, bandit hunts aren't military ops; they're just part of his daily routine. Spotting an acquaintance while going about his day? He'd want to grab a meal, share some drinks. Something like that.
So, I'd planned to steer clear of the east and south where he was rampaging and head west to Sichuan instead—but thinking about Sichuan's hellish terrain, you can't just walk or take a carriage. Ships are the only way in.
'Sichuan's no place for walking.'
Sichuan's riddled with mountains that seem designed to block out humans entirely. Plenty of nations back in the day could mount a full cosmic defense just with that one province. It's a detached little world, cut off from the outside—a backwater you need serious resolve to enter.
Of course, a Hwagyeong master could stroll right through without a care, but we're not Hwagyeong here.
"Looks like we'll have to follow the Yangtze up to Zhongqing, then?"
"Yes, my lord. That's the safest bet."
So much for avoiding the Yangtze. We'd head to Yiling—better known by its old name, Yichang—board a ship there, and sail upriver to Zhongqing. Otherwise, unless you're Deng Yuwang or Deng Ai, those mountain paths are too miserable to even glance at.
That's a problem. This nationwide tour doesn't end in Sichuan, so I need to conserve energy.
'This is the way.'
Heading straight for the Yangtze myself felt uneasy, but no matter how many times I mulled it over, this was best. The rivers around Yangyang narrow the closer you get to Sichuan. And our destination's on the border anyway, like Hanzhong between Sichuan and Shaanxi.
Might as well take the Yangtze—saves time. Plus, according to Yangyang Wang, Gi Gangwang had only just mobilized. He'd still be hanging around his base in Gugang and nearby, so hop on a ship quick and bolt west—no encounter.
'Perfect.'
Yeah, a flawless plan. A journey that'd end without a hitch.
"Oh, Han Un! Fancy meeting you here!"
'Damn it.'
That's what I'd thought until we ran into Gi Gangwang's fleet at Yichang.
Did the guy bolt a motor to his ship or what? How'd someone from Gugang get here this fast?
In the end, I got forcibly boarded onto his flagship.
"It's been ages since I last saw you lot—good to see you all."
- Kki-ing...
- Kki-ong...
And just like that, Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i—suddenly stuck with Gi Gangwang—were trembling, plastered tight against each other.
They'd bolted the second they sensed him back at Hengshan. And when traces of Mongol human sacrifices turned up, they'd nearly died by his hand. No wonder they were shaking in terror.
"These guys... were they always this white?"
Maybe because of that, even as Gi Gangwang fondled their bodies, they just trembled—no fleeing, no resistance.
"They had a fateful encounter and ate some spirit herbs. Turned pure white overnight."
The pitiful whimpering tugged at me, so I subtly drew his attention. First impressions were a mess, but these are my precious pets now. When an outsider bullies your animals, the owner steps up.
"Huh, spirit beasts eating spirit herbs?"
But my words only focused his interest more on them. Kki-ing-i shot me a glare full of resentment—pretty memorable.
'Sorry.'
But you can't control Gi Gangwang on a whim. I'm Giwang's grandson, sure, but he's a king. Several ranks above me.
'Sorry...'
Soon enough, Kki-ing-i's antlers were caught, letting out a mournful cry.
I'll treat you to lots of tasty stuff once we hit Sichuan. Not sure if you'd like spicy, though.
"Speaking of which, Han Un."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I heard you helped Yangyang Wang with the water bandit purge."
I instinctively gauged his mood. Say yes here, and it'd be, 'Then I could use your help too, right?' There goes my grand plan to flee to Sichuan. Half-ruined the moment he nabbed me, but I had to dodge an unwanted Yangtze thrill cruise.
"I was just spectating—how could I claim any contribution?"
Of course, lying to a king brings backlash. I went with humble ambiguity between yes and no.
Besides, spectating wasn't wrong. The officials, Wudang, and Zhuge clan handled the purge.
"Your face looks a bit dark. Worried I'll order you to join the campaign?"
"As a Daesong official, purging bandits alongside Your Highness would be the greatest honor— who under heaven would sour their face before such glory?"
I bowed slightly to hide my expression at his jest. Me, obviously—I'd be the one souring it. Just hearing 'water bandit' makes my teeth chatter lately; no thanks to drifting the Yangtze with a guy for whom it's routine.
"Kehahaha! No need to fret. I've been at this bandit thing for more than a day or two—no need for outside help."
He burst out laughing at my demeanor, patting my shoulder.
"Just spotted a friend on the way and picked you up."
Then he casually swung his arm toward the sails.
"Han Un. You said Zhongqing, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"We'll be there soon—grab some shut-eye."
A massive gust suddenly propelled his fleet forward at breakneck speed.
'Insane.'
I gawked up at the sails in awe. Wind arts to boost a whole fleet? Those things shred foes with razor gales—how were the sails unscathed? Wind arts could be controlled that finely?
'A man dead serious about bandits.'
Knowing even this mad control was for smashing bandits made me chuckle wryly. No wonder he chased them like ghosts despite hauling a giant flagship. High-speed boats? Useless against wind mastery.
"Thank you for the consideration."
After witnessing the old master's insane control, I expressed my gratitude. Not kidnapping me for the campaign, and faster than any civilian ship—pure gain, so thanks were in order.
"Same road anyway, no sweat. If you're that grateful, slice off a bit of that antler."
- Kki-iing!?
Kki-ing-i freaked at his words, ducking behind me. Dude, hiding from him behind me is pointless... He's way stronger than your owner...
"Heh, kidding. Fun to tease—they understand human speech so well."
Thankfully, he laughed it off at Kki-ing-i's reaction. His cranky personality hasn't changed a bit.
"...Don't deer antlers regrow? A little trim should be fine."
"They only regrow if they shed naturally—forcing it stops regeneration, as I understand."
"Hm, shame."
Tsking at the idea of one-use if human-touched, he lost interest. Truth is, antlers regrow even if cut deliberately—shed ones lack nutrition; velvet antler needs cutting. But say that, and he'd actually lop one off.
No owner wants their pet bleeding and screaming.
- Kki-ing...
Sensing my intent, Kki-ing-i licked my face.
'Don't worry.'
These fine antlers? Not yielding to anyone. If they're ever cut, it'll be for me or family medicine.
Watching Han Un soothe his two spirit beasts, I let out a chuckle.
'Dragging every incident his way.'
Amazing. It hasn't been long since we parted at Hengshan. Yet in that blink, so much revolved around him.
Spirit beasts snag spirit herbs, turn snow-white. His peak escort breaks into chojeoljeong. Shaanxi uncovers Baek Qi's tomb. Rival Zhongnan and Huashan juniors earn titles side-by-side.
'Ak Wangga's girl recovered too, they say.'
Wherever Han Un goes, odd events brew. Those close to him get fateful encounters.
I've lived ages, never seen the like. Is he the eye of the storm, or does he chase the chaos? Hard to tell.
'Well, he's deployed to trouble spots...'
Dochalwon's central inspectors tour to fix provincial messes. Han Un packs authority: Dochalwon clout, Vice Censor power, Giwangga blood, first-rate skill.
Most issues fall to his rank; tougher ones to Giwangga muscle. I'd figured the Emperor and Jwa Do-eosa tossed him into disasters on purpose.
'Even without the official gig, he'd be tangled in crap.'
Wrong. Bureaucrat or not, his fate's a magnet. Otherwise, who'd head to Sichuan unbidden?
[Lately, Sichuan's not exactly peaceful either. Good thing I caught that fun show in Shaanxi to calm my nerves—otherwise, I'd have collapsed from frustration.]
A recent letter from Nang-jung Wang came to mind, drawing another laugh. He outright admits Sichuan's unrest. Who walks into that willingly? Knowingly? A workaholic. Unknowingly? Heaven-sent. Either way, not normal.